A variety of modern building and decorative materials can not only significantly save money and time, but also reduce the load on the foundation of the structure. For example, a brick is often used to build a fence. It is necessary for the construction of pillars, between which ready-made sections will be installed. Buying bricks, metal supports, concrete and their installation is quite expensive. In addition, such a burden will destroy the foundation over time. Imitation of brick pillars is perfect to reduce costs and increase the life of the fence. Externally, special panels are no different from a conventional stone support.
What it is
Known in the construction world, the abbreviation PIX stands for a panel imitating a brick pillar. This is a decorative element used in the construction of fences. The dimensions of one unit of construction are 38x15x30 centimeters with a weight of 500 grams. It is from such blocks that the structure is assembled in the form of a column of the desired height.
Brick columns look great: with a wooden fence forged from metal sections. In this case, you will have to mount the PEAKS on both sides to get a full post. To design the angular sides, you will need to saw the panel at an angle of 45 degrees and mount two similar halves in one.
Features
PEAKS - imitation of a brick pillar, made of environmentally friendly material - polypropylene. They look like the letter P, a standard height of several stone elements. The thickness of the panel is 2 centimeters. Benefits:
- It is used as a decorative element of fence posts.
- Facilitates the design and its installation.
- Reduces material costs.
- Installation does not require professional knowledge in construction.
- Saves time.
- It is installed on any type of soil.
- Does not lose its appearance under the influence of sunlight.
- It is combined with other materials for a fence - a professional flooring, a shtaket.
- Can be used in interior decoration.
- They do not have harmful substances and do not emit toxins.
- Resistant to various chemicals, acids and solvents.
- If you carefully handle the PIX panels, they can be removed and used again.
Panels with imitation of masonry fence posts well tolerate the temperature effect: from minus 40 to 60 degrees heat. At the moment, the panels are produced in two colors: red and straw. However, the ability to paint the structure allows you to create an individual design of the fence and make the columns of the color you need using special paint. After installation, the entire structure is covered with a protective agent. It protects the structure from the negative effects of natural conditions - the surface does not fade in the sun and does not peel off.
disadvantages
Like any other building material, plastic imitation of a brick pillar has its drawbacks. But there are not many of them:
- There are no corner elements.
- It is deformed under strong mechanical stress.
- The service life is slightly less than that of a real brick.
- After repair or additional painting may lose its performance.
What do we need
Imitation of brick pillars is going quite quickly and simply. Even someone who has never done this will cope with this task. For installation you will need:
- Metal corners.
- Self-tapping screws.
- Screwdriver.
- Roulette.
Step-by-step layout of the installation is drawn at a distance of about three meters from one column to another. We set two metal corners along the width of the panel so that the mark is exactly in the middle.
Panel Installation
Imitation of brick pillars is installed on one or both sides of a finished fence. The easiest way to do this is on corrugated board, without fence supports. If there are columns, then they are surrounded by panels on both sides, on pre-installed aluminum vertical corners. On a solid profile fence we measure at what distance from each other the panels will be installed. If for real columns you need to fill the foundation, then this is not required to install plastic panels. Although from a design point of view, the presence of a foundation tape makes the fence complete.
A visor is mounted on the uppermost block. It protects the structure from moisture inside, and is a decorative element. The panels are equipped with connecting locks, with holes for self-tapping screws. They are mounted to metal corners. PEAKS are pressed against each other, leaving no gap between them. Elements are installed from the top block down, on both sides of the fence. The final element is cut with scissors for metal, grinder.
Calculation of the number of panels
For those who are faced with the task of installing such fences for the first time, we give a preliminary calculation of the number of units of panels on a one-sided or two-sided pole:
- One-sided pole 1.8 meters high - you will need 6 pieces of panels and a half of the cover.
- One-sided pillar 2 meters high - 7 panels, half of the cover.
- A 1.8-meter double-sided pillar - 14 panels and an entire cover.
- A two-sided pillar 2 meters high - 16 panels and a whole cover.
Design
Since the panels appeared on the construction market, they have gained considerable popularity. In appearance, they are not much different from natural brickwork, but they are several times cheaper and will be affordable even for those who can not afford a stone fence.
The fence from corrugated board is also popular. But the metal sheets around the perimeter of the yard look inconspicuous. Imitation of brickwork of fence posts will make the fence much brighter and more attractive. Elements look so realistic that few will guess from afar that these are plastic panels.
What to choose?
Not everyone has the opportunity to independently lay columns of stone for the fence. In this case, imitation of brick pillars from plastic panels is much more profitable. Even a novice will cope with their installation, thereby saving money on hiring workers. A full-fledged replacement for a real brick, pix can not be called, but as a decorative element installed in the minimum time period, this is the best option. What to choose: the real stone or pix-panel is still up to the user to decide. Much depends on desire and opportunity.